The physician members of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) provide comprehensive, coordinated and continuing care to all members of the family and serve as the patient's advocate in the changing health care system. Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents more than 93,100 family physicians, family practice residents and medical students nationwide. It is the only medical specialty society devoted solely to primary care. AAFP is located on the Web at www.aafp.org.

AAHPM is an organization of physicians and other medical professionals dedicated to excellence in palliative medicine and the prevention and relief of suffering among patients and families by providing education and clinical practice standards; fostering research; facilitating personal and professional development of its members; and by public policy advocacy. AAHPM, with nearly 1,500 members, was established in 1988 and brings together physicians and other healthcare professionals who are interested in and/or involved in the hospice and palliative care approach to patient care and who are committed to the improvement of care for the dying. AAHPM is located on the Web at www.aahpm.org.

The American Academy of Pain Medicine is the primary organization for physicians practicing the specialty of Pain Medicine in the United States. The mission of the American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM) is to promote quality care of patients with pain as a symptom of disease (eudynia) and primary pain diseases (maldynia) through research, education, and advocacy, and through the advancement of the specialty of Pain Medicine. The American Academy of Pain Medicine, with 1200 physician members, is the only pain organization with representation in the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates. AAPM is located on the Web at www.painmed.org.

The American Alliance of Cancer Pain Initiatives (AACPI) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting cancer pain relief nationwide by supporting the efforts of state and regional Pain Initiatives. Pain Initiatives are voluntary, grassroots organizations of health care professionals, educators, and patient advocates. Pain Initiatives provide education, training, and information to health care providers, cancer patients and their families. AACPI is located on the Web at www.aacpi.org.

The American Cancer Society is the largest nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service. For information about cancer, call toll-free anytime 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit the American Cancer Society Web site at www.cancer.org.

The American Medical Association was founded in 1847 to "promote the science and art of medicine and the betterment of public health." The AMA is the largest association of physicians in the United States, with more than 290,000 members. For more than 150 years the physicians of the AMA have guided and guarded American medicine. The AMA serves as the nation's preeminent voice for patients, physicians and the medical profession. The AMA is located on the Web at www.ama-assn.org.

APF is the nation's leading nonprofit organization serving people with pain. Our mission is to improve the quality of their lives by raising public awareness, providing practical information, promoting research, and advocating to remove barriers and increase access to effective pain management. Founded in 1997 by three past presidents of the American Pain Society, APF offers a comprehensive consumer-focused Web site that includes information about treatment options, news stories, legislative updates, and links to over 200 Web sites. APF also serves as a media resource. We provide journalists with: the latest facts and information about pain and story ideas; connect them to the nation's top leaders in pain management; and, introduce them to people who have suffered with pain—anywhere in the country. APF is located on the Web at www.painfoundation.org.

The American Pain Society is an interdisciplinary professional society of more than 3,500 members and includes basic and clinical scientists, physicians from many specialties, psychologists, nurses, physical therapists, pharmacists, and other professionals interested in pain-related research and clinical care. The mission of the American Pain Society is to advance pain-related research, education, treatment, and professional practice. APS is located on the Web at www.ampainsoc.org.

The American Pharmaceutical Association is the first established and largest professional association of pharmacists in the United States. APhA’s 50,000 members include practicing pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, pharmacy students, pharmacy technicians, and others interested in advancing the profession. The Association is a leader in providing professional information and education for pharmacists and an advocate for improved health through the provision of comprehensive pharmaceutical care. APhA is located on the Web at www.APhAnet.org.

The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) is an educational, research and scientific association of physicians organized to raise and maintain the standards of the medical practice of anesthesiology and improve the care of the patient. Founded in 1905, ASA is the foremost advocate for all patients who require anesthesia or relief from pain. ASA is located on the Web at www.asahq.org.

ASLME provides a forum for high-quality debate, scholarship, and critical thought for the community of professionals at the intersection of law, health care, and ethics. The Society was founded in 1911. A nonprofit educational organization, ASLME's membership includes attorneys, physicians, ethicists, nurses, allied health professionals, hospital administrators, risk managers, social workers, academics, and students who come together to examine the crucial questions of our times. ASLME has engaged in and helped shaped the dialogue at the national level, dealing with such varied issues as managed care decision making and utilization, medical record privacy, pediatric controversies, end-of-life decision making, implications of the human genome project, and pain undertreatment. ASLME is located on the Web at www.aslme.org.

The American Society of Pain Management Nurses (ASPMN) is an organization of professional nurses dedicated to promoting and providing optimal care of patients with pain, including management of its sequelae. This is accomplished through education, standards, advocacy and research. ASPMN is located on the Web at www.aspmn.org.

The American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine is entering its 27th year of providing high quality educational activities for physicians interested in regional anesthesia and/or pain medicine. ASRA-PM has 7,000 members from around the world with the majority from the United States. More information about the society is available at www.asra.com or by contacting asra@societyhq.com

Community-State Partnerships to Improve End-of-Life Care supports statewide coalitions working to make high quality and compassionate care for dying patients the norm, not the exception. A grant program funded by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Community-State Partnerships is based on the belief that the actions and decisions of individual patients, families and health care professionals regarding end-of-life care can be greatly enhanced if they take place within a supportive cultural, clinical and policy environment. CSPI is located on the Web at www.midbio.org.

The Midwest Bioethics Center provides leadership and educational programs to healthcare professionals, policymakers and consumers about ethical issues and moral dilemmas in modern healthcare. Established in 1984 as a nonpartisan, nonprofit membership organization, the center was founded to create and sustain an environment in which decisions related to human health are based on respect for persons and informed by an understanding of ethics. Midwest Bioethics Center is located on the Web at www.midbio.org.

The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Inc. is a non-profit association of over 3,500 members, which assists lawyers, bar organizations and others who work with older clients and their families. Established in 1987, the Academy provides a resource of information, education, networking and assistance to those who must deal with the many specialized issues involved with legal services to the elderly and disabled. NAELA is located on the Web at www.naela.org.

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization is the largest nonprofit membership organization for hospice and palliative care programs and professionals in the United States. The organization is committed to improving end-of-life care, expanding access to hospice and palliative care, and profoundly enhancing quality of life for the dying and their loved ones. NHPCO is located on the Web at www.nhpco.org.

The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) is the largest professional membership oncology association in the world. ONS is a national organization of more than 29,000 registered nurses and other health care professionals dedicated to promoting excellence in oncology nursing and quality cancer care. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, ONS provides nurses and healthcare professionals with access to the highest quality programs, resources, research opportunities, and peer networks. ONS is located on the Web at www.ons.org.

The Pain & Policy Studies Group is a university-based academic research, education, and communications program located in the Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Wisconsin Medical School. Our vision is that pain management will be adequately available when and where it is needed so that people who suffer pain from cancer, AIDS, surgery, accidents, and chronic conditions will have relief from their pain, improved functioning, and a better quality of life. Our mission is to promote "balance" in national and state policies to ensure adequate availability of opioid analgesics and their appropriate medical use for patient care while addressing diversion and abuse. PPSG is located on the Web at www.medsch.wisc.edu/painpolicy.